Deschamps pleased with France start

16 June 2014 07:02

France made a statement in their World Cup opener, brushing aside 10-man Honduras 3-0 in Porto Alegre.

Les Bleus excelled before and after Wilson Palacios' red card at the end of the first half, but it was not until the resulting penalty that they opened the scoring through Karim Benzema.

The Real Madrid striker also scored his side's third with a thunderous strike and in between played a key part in Noel Valladares' own goal, Benzema's initial shot coming back across goal off the post.

For the first time in World Cup history, goal-line technology was used for confirmation.

Coach Didier Deschamps was delighted with his side's opening gambit in Group E.

"We've had good times during our preparation, but this is competition. Winning today is a very good start," he said.

"We will enjoy this victory, a 3-0 win in the World Cup, because it's never easy. We were patient. We had our chances and hit the bar twice in the first period.

"We did well. Pleasure is total in football when there is victory."

Benzema, making his World Cup bow after missing the cut in 2010, was in high spirits having shot his side to victory.

Much is expected of the Real Madrid hitman and he was pleased to have delivered by matching Brazil star Neymar's two-goal salvo.

"I had in mind to play a good game, win while also trying to play my football without pressure. I did tonight," he said.

"I'm very happy and very proud. But the most important thing is winning. Some judge me on my number of goals but, for me, the way I play counts a lot."

Honduras coach Luis Suarez had no complaints about the result, but admitted he was confused by the protocol which initially saw both a 'no goal' and a 'goal' verdict delivered by the GoalControl system following France's second.

The first message related to Benzema's initial shot, while the second covered the Valladares fumble.

''On the second goal, the machine first said that there was no (goal), and after granted one," he said. "I do not know what to think .''

In Group E's early kick-off, Switzerland pickpocketed a dramatic 2-1 win over Ecuador in Brasilia.

The Swiss had gone behind to Enner Valencia's first-half header before equalising through substitute Admir Mehmedi.

Fellow replacement Haris Seferovic then sealed victory in added time after Valon Behrami's tackle set in motion a final counter.

''It was a dream end to the game for us and is very important for the morale of the team,'' Switzerland boss Ottmar Hitzfeld said.

''It will give us some extra strength for the next two matches.

''I really thought this (match-winning) move was delightful. We reacted intuitively and knew how to take advantage of the Ecuadorian mistake.

''It is marvellous to win in the last minute as it releases positive energy.''

Ecuador coach Reinaldo Rueda felt his side were unlucky not to get at least a point.

''It was an intense and evenly matched game. We saw both teams perform to the best of their ability,'' he said.

''We seemed to have the game under control, but what use is that if you end up losing?